Restyled 2018 Honda Accord features cool looks and three new powertrains

Posted by
Benjamin Yong on
July 19th, 2017

The all-new 2018 Honda Accord is quite a design departure from the previous generation.

Honda’s surprised a lot of people lately, in a good way, offering adventurous redesigns of models across their segment range including the new series of Civics, the Odyssey and the Ridgeline. It’s now the Accord’s turn, with the 2018 example set to be a quite a drastic departure, especially aesthetically, from previous.

The mid-size sedan now embodies a fastback shape and is packaged in a slightly wider (+10 millimetres) shell. However, it is 10 millimetres shorter in length than before, and sits 15 millimetres lower. Wheelbase and wheel track have been pushed out further, giving a more refined stance and lower centre of gravity, as well as maximizing passenger space and stretching out legroom by an impressive amount.

One of the most striking details found at the nose of the car, where below the signature winged chrome grille is a gaping central air intake. Everything from the hood, which possesses a slightly raised centre section, to the smooth door panels and upswept trunk lid make this the slipperiest Accord yet, altogether raising the aerodynamic efficiency by three per cent compared to the last version.

In addition to the extra room, the cabin features a driver’s seat mounted in a sportier position with 12-way power adjustability and larger supportive bolsters. The infotainment system is comprised of an eight-inch Display Audio touchscreen and a four, eight or 10-speaker stereo system depending on trim level. And due to public demand, Honda has reintroduced physical volume and tuning knobs.

Three powertrains will eventually be released when the new Accord begins rollout later this year: a turbocharged 1.5 litre (192 horsepower) or 2.0 litre (252 horsepower) i-VTEC gasoline engine, and a two-motor hybrid setup for the partially electrified variant to arrive later. The former pair is either mated to a CVT or 10-speed automatic transmission, respectively, and in welcome news, a six-speed manual gearbox is an option for both.

About the Author

Benjamin Yong is a freelance journalist and communications professional living in Richmond, B.C. He is often found writing about cars and the auto industry, amongst other things, or driving around in his work-in-progress 1990 Mazda MX-5.